In Jesus' day, blind people were despised, even though Leviticus 19:14 prohibited any curse on the visually impaired.  Often rejected by their families and without any means of earning a living, they resorted to begging.  When Jesus approached the city of Jericho a crowd of people accompanied Him, and the procession stirred up noisy interest from those who lived and worked nearby. The blind man, hearing the disturbance, wanted to know what was going on.  On hearing that Jesus was coming down the road, he seized his opportunity and shouted out for mercy.

He addressed Jesus by His royal title, "Son of David", showing that he believed in Jesus as God's King who had come to earth.  He called out for mercy because he knew he did not deserve any favours.  Socially, he was at the bottom of the pile; physically, he was unable to see.  Spiritually, he knew that he was not worthy of an audience with the King.  And yet he had faith that Jesus would hear him and respond to his need.  He had faith to believe that the opinion of everybody around no longer mattered - if only Jesus would come to him.  Indeed, the more he was rebuked by respectable people, the more he shouted in desperation that Jesus would heal him.

Sometimes we lack passion and conviction in our praying.  Either we do not appreciate the size and urgency of our need, or we have forgotten how lovingly powerful Jesus is.  Perhaps we try to cope with our circumstances and fix our own problems, only asking Jesus for emotional reassurance and comfort.  But real prayer comes out of desperation, like that of Hannah (1 Samuel 1:10-17) - a desperate conviction that only the Lord can fully understand the problem and provide the answer.  Therefore, it is not only right to appeal to Him, but there is no other wise course of action.

Crying out to the Lord in distress is a common theme of godly people in the Bible.  It is the refrain of Psalm 107 (verses 6, 13, 19, 28: “Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress”). There is nothing wrong or immature about such a prayer: do not be ashamed to come before God with cries and tears.  So, whatever is the unresolved matter which burdens your heart, depresses your spirit, frustrates your intentions, inhibits your ability to do God's will … and makes you feel alone amongst people and helpless before God - simply cry out to Him for His mercy upon all that is wrong and place yourself in His hands alone, being willing to receive His grace.